Lung cancer
posted by Jamesmc1
14 March 2009

My Dad has a spot shown up in an X-ray

Last reply: 19 April 2009 00:41

Hi all,

This post is from a worried son.
My dad was a smoker for about 25 years he gave up a year and a half ago. He is now retired and very happy (I think)
Afew months ago he was coming home from leaving my sister at the bus when he had to pull the car over with heart pulputations he was sent to the hospital and was given the all clear. He went back for other test and is now going fo an agiogram on Monday.
In the mean time he got a call from a doctor sayin they had found a spot on his lung in an x-ray (a little point I have to add is my dad is a very proud man and doesnt want to worry anyone) To be honest I dont know what the doctor said to him as he hasnt said and to be honest I hvent asked as I dont want to push him I sure he has enugh on his plate at the moment.

Sorry but I'm not sure if I have made any sense with my explaination above but if anyone has any words of wisdom they could offer it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
A worried son of a very proud father who means the world to his son (although I may not have always showed it)

3 comments

Comments

commented by FH2
15 March 2009

15 March 2009 14:28

Hi James,

Well firstly I would just like to say that its wonderful to hear you say how much your Dad means to you.

Regarding the spot on his xray, there could be MANY reasons for this and several are completely harmless. So please don't panic. Is the doc sending him for further tests to determine what the spot is?

I had a cough that lasted 5 months last year and a chest x-ray found a spot on my lung. The report said 'ill defined density near aortic arch'. It sounded terrifying to me (I had already had breast cancer) and I had myself dead and buried. But the cough cleared up when the spring arrived and has never come back and a PET scan revealed nothing to worry about at all!!

Given yr Dad's smoking history, yes it 'could' be something. But it could equally be absolutely nothing at all. So please try not to worry.

If I were you, I would have a chat with yr Dad. Tell him you love him (its hard at first to say but gets easier and easier the more you do it!!) and are a bit concerned. Let him know you don't want to interfere or intrude but ask if he could tell you a bit more because you would like to help. Maybe he would let you attend his next appointments with him. Its always good to have a second set of ears at appointments. Let him know you just want to support him, not invade his privacy. He's looked after you for many years, so you just want to give him back something in return. Maybe you could drive him to his appointment and take him for lunch after and make a father/son day of it?

Fingers crossed for you and your Dad.
Regards,

Flo.

commented by Amanda12
23 March 2009

23 March 2009 18:51

I hope your Father`s results come back ok. I know how easy it is to think the worst. It could just be an infection of the lung. You are right not to ask him too many questions at the moment as he is probably worried himself. If it does turn out to be smething nasty on his lung there will be time enough for questions and answers then. Unfortunately I have some experience with lung cancer as I lost my mother to it last November, so I do understand the panic you are experiencing. Please God he will be ok. Take Care

commented by LISA BERMINGHAM
19 April 2009

19 April 2009 00:41

HI JAMES I HAVE JUST READ YOUR MESSAGE ABOUT YOUR BELOVED DAD . I HAVE JUST SIGNED UP TO THIS SITE AND I HOPE YOUR DAD IS OK AT THIS PRESENT TIME .MY FATHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3A LUNG CANCER IN FEBRUARY A SMOKER OF ABOUT 60 A DAY ALL HIS LIFE .HE IS ONLY 62 NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO OUR DOOR .HE STARTED CHEMO LAST THURSDAY READ MY POST LISA BERMINGHAM BECAUSE HE IS MY DAD LIKE YOU I AM VERY POSITIVE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIM OR MY MOTHER HE HAS ACCEPTED HIS ILLNESS AND IS NO PROBLEM AND I FEEL HE STILL HAS ALOT TO OFFER IN THIS LIFE AND WILL BE AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME PLEASE GOD . LET ME KNOW HOW YOUR DAD IS DOING BECAUSE MY DAD IS A BIT LIKE YOURS WILLNOT TELL YOU ANYTHING AND I WENT WITH MY PARENTS TO EVERY CONSULTATION WITH MUM AND DAD AND CONSULTANT WAS A GENT ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS AND DAD WAS SO APPRECIATIVE IN THE END IT IS JUST FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN WITH HIM AND HE IS SET IN HIS WAYS.MY MOTHER WAS SO THRILLED THAT I WENT ASWELL BECAUSE SHE DIDNOT KNOW TO WHAT TO ASK AND I BEING A DAUGHTER SEARCHED ALL INFORMATION ON THE NET ABOUT MY FATHERS ILLNESS AND I HAVE MORE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT TO ASK NOW AND THEY CAN EXPLAIN TO ME IN LAYMANS TERMS WHEN THEY KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT

© Irish Cancer Society 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved

Irish Cancer Society Head office, 43/45 Northumberland Road Dublin, D04 VX65; Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20009502; Revenue Number CHY5863; Company Number 20868.